The battle for pizza supremacy is heating up as Brisbane prepares to host the inaugural State of Origin Pizza Battle at the Food & Hospitality Queensland Show on 12 October.
The fast-paced showdown will feature 20 pizza professionals, 10 from New South Wales and 10 from Queensland, who will go head-to-head in a series of 30-minute heats to determine which state rules the pizza scene.
Open to pizzaiolos, chefs, makers, and cooks working in the foodservice industry, the competition will test creativity, execution, and signature flair.
The format pits competitors in two judged rounds: the Signature Pizza, showcasing each chef’s best-selling menu hero, and the Creative Pizza, where a set of sponsor-supplied ingredients will challenge chefs to push their flavour boundaries.
Points from both rounds will determine the Best Pizza Chef: State of Origin Pizza Competition, with $2,000 cash and a coveted spot in the 2026 Australia’s Best Pizza Awards up for grabs.
The highest-scoring competitor will secure victory for their home state, earning each team member a $300 cash prize and year-long pizza glory.
Mike Hill, event director for the Food & Hospitality Queensland show, said the competition is more than just pizza: “This isn’t just a comp. It’s a full-blown pizza war. Big pride. Bigger flavours. One winner.”
Head judge Johnny Di Francesco (Director, Gradi Group) will be joined by Emanuele Malara (Head Pizza Chef, Ciccio’s Pizza & Gelato and winner of ‘Australia’s Best Pizza Award’ at Food & Hospitality Week in May 2025), with more judges to be confirmed.
The event will take place live on the show floor at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, with heats running from 10:30am to 3pm and the winner crowned by 4pm.
Applications are now open and close on 28 August. Finalists will be announced on 1 September.
Entries are open at the Food & Hospitality website: State of Origin Pizza Battle
